Thursday, December 14, 2017

MASKED 10 (OR 15) SHOWS FOR 2017

Here’s the annual list of my favorite shows of the year. In no way
are these the “best” shows of 2017 because, for the life of me, I don’t know
what that means. I try not to be cute and impress you all with some obscure
series that is on some unknown network. These are all pretty well-known
properties. Although I call it the MASKED 10 it’s really made up of 15 shows
and eight of them were carryovers from 2016.

A lot of critical darlings are missing and, yes, I watched several
of them but I enjoyed these more. The one I have yet to see is THE HANDMAID’S
TALE which I hope to get to possibly over the Holidays. I think I’m going to
like it a lot.

As a scheduler, I cannot help but put some of these shows together
since the whole is more than the sum of its parts.

They are listed in some order of favoritocity so there is sort of a
new favorite among the favorites this year. So, here’s this year’s MASKED 10

Better Call Saul (AMC)

The Americans (FX)

Billions (SHOWTIME)

Game of Thrones (HBO)

Master of None (NETFLIX)

GLOW (NETFLIX)/Mae Young Classic (WWE NETWORK)

Silicon Valley (HBO)

The Deuce (HBO)

Jane the Virgin/Crazy Ex-Girlfriend/Riverdale (the CW)

Fresh Off the Boat/The Goldbergs (ABC)

Catastrophe (AMAZON)

Here are the five that didn’t make the cut but I thoroughly enjoyed
and would strongly recommend if you have yet to see.

The Magnificent Mrs. Maisel (AMAZON)

Girls (HBO)

Chewing Gum (NETFLIX)

Difficult People (HULU)

Fargo (FX)

If I can say there was one disappointment for me this year it was
the return of CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (HBO). It has run its course.

The Emperor’s New Clothes series of the year (there always are a
bunch to choose from) was LEGION (FX).

Here are the shows I watch out of loyalty and I’m looking forward
to a time when I no longer feel the obligation. I’m a completest.

The Walking Dead (AMC)

Orange is the New Black (NETFLIX)

Suits (USA)

Homeland (SHOWTIME)

Empire (FOX)

Finally, PREACHER (AMC) was the freshman show that I was so looking
forward to but I found the second season a disappointment.

I already have lots of stuff on the runway for 2018 viewing. It
never stops but there’s a lot of really good stuff out there 365 days a year.